Mercy Minds
Jan Hamilton Founder,
Mercy Minds
Our family first got involved with a Christ centered nonprofit organization that works with the urban poor, Neighborhood Ministries, in 2000. Over the years, we learned about the tremendous poverty and challenges that face thousands of people in metropolitan Phoenix. As a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner, my career focus and passion is that people will have access to mental health services as part of their journey in becoming whole. Mercy Minds was born out of that desire to offer access to the under-served and provide services to help remove the devastating burdens of shame, repetitive violence, drug addiction and untreated illnesses that can perpetrate continuing cycles of poverty.
Jan Hamilton, PMHNP Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner Owner, Doorways, LLC
Although the world is full of suffering, it is also full of the overcoming of it.
—Helen Keller
Mercy Minds is an alliance of mental health professionals committed to offering Christ-centered behavioral health services to individuals and families. Mercy Minds provides resources and compassionate care in order to facilitate wholeness and emotional health to the underserved in our community.
Arizona Mental Health Services — Stats and Facts
1 in 4 Arizonans has a diagnosable mental health disorder.
• From 2009-2011, state behavioral health funding has been cut by $62 million
• Adult and child mental health services have been cut to those in extreme poverty (Source: Magellan)
• “Lack of access to mental health services continues to be the most serious problem in the Hispanic/Latino community….(www.healthyminds.org)
• 19% of Arizonans (more than 1.2 million) lived below the federal poverty level in 2010. (Az. Republic-Sept. 14, 2011)
• Diverse communities have more barriers to seeking treatment due to cultural differences, the stigma associated with mental illness, language, lack of information, and no health insurance (www.azahcccs.gov)
How Can You Help Mercy Minds?
— Volunteer a minimum of two hours a month to meet individually with a client in need of counseling or psychiatric services.
— Lead a weekly process or psycho-educational group for men or women in issues such as grief, substance abuse, domestic violence, or trauma recovery.
— Tell your colleagues about